Tehran: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei has dismissed media reports of backchannel talks between the United States and Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) leadership, describing the reports as fabricated and part of psychological warfare aimed at creating division among the Islamic Republic's decision-making bodies.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Baqaei was speaking on Monday during his weekly press briefing in Tehran, responding to questions about US media reports that Washington had reached out to the IRGC leadership through officials in Iraq's Kurdistan Region in May, while Iranian negotiators were engaged in talks with American representatives to seek an end to the war the US and Israel launched against Iran in February.
The US media reports claimed that Washington had sought to find out whether the IRGC had the same position as the Iranian negotiators attending the talks. Baqaei stated, 'News of a secret meeting between Iran and the US in Erbil is totally fabricated. The other news report is a media trick and psychological warfare aimed at creating division among decision-making bodies in the Islamic Republic of Iran,' emphasizing that such behavior is out of desperation.
He highlighted the cohesion and solidarity among different sections of the Islamic Republic regarding the issue of war and peace over the past six months. Baqaei asserted that the negotiating team is trusted by all institutions of the system, including defense sectors, and any decisions regarding talks and negotiations will consider the viewpoints of all sections of the Islamic System.
Baqaei further clarified that decision-making in the Islamic Republic is an institution-based process, where institutions make the best decisions while taking into account all the considerations related to foreign policy issues.
Addressing another matter, Baqaei denied allegations that the Foreign Ministry had sent a letter to Parliament asking to put on hold a bill on strategic action to secure the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. He affirmed that the Foreign Ministry respects the decisions and procedures pursued in the Islamic Consultative Assembly and has taken existing legislation and current developments into account regarding the bill.
In discussions concerning the Strait of Hormuz, Baqaei mentioned that talks between Iran and Oman have been time-consuming due to the complexity of the issue and the involvement of multiple actors. He noted that both sides have reached an understanding on a navigation map and are working to finalize a package comprising the map and a joint statement, despite efforts by certain parties opposed to regional peace and security.
Lastly, Baqaei addressed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, clarifying that there was no 60-day deadline, and stressed that Iran does not formulate its policies under pressure, ultimatums, or deadlines. He explained that the memorandum envisaged 60 days of talks on sanctions removal and the nuclear issue, but the talks never began due to the US breaching the memorandum weeks after its signing. He reiterated that Iran's Armed Forces remain vigilant and strengthening ties with neighboring countries remains a priority.